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Definition of nub

nub

/nʌb/
nub
Plural:nubs
•
Adjective:nubby
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nub Lexical Profile

nub Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The crux, core, or central point of a matter, issue, or story.

Example

"The nub of the dispute was who should pay for the repairs to the shared fence."

2

A small lump, protuberance, or short remaining stub of something.

Example

"He wrote the note using a tiny nub of a pencil he found in the drawer."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for nub

• Nearby Words

nu river
nuance
nuanced
nub
nubbin
nubby
nubia

Word Origin & Etymology

Dating back to the late 16th century, "nub" is likely a variant of "knub," originating from Middle Low German "knubbe," meaning a knob or lump.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nub. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nub
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